"My cooking skills are pretty good too," Xue Xing boasted.
"Really?" Si Wen looked at him skeptically. She clearly didn’t believe him.
"Of course. My cooking... even my mom says it’s great," he insisted.
"Just make sure it’s not less delicious than what I make," Si Wen retorted.
Xiao Bai, lying comfortably in Si Wen’s arms, lifted his eyelids at her words before quickly closing them again.
Xue Xing gave her a once-over, his tone doubtful. "You can cook?"
"What, you don’t believe ? If you don’t, you can ask your brother. He’s tasted my food and even said I have a talent for it."
Xue Xing exclaid in surprise, "My brother has eaten your cooking too? Are you two... very close?"
They lived together and had tasted each other’s cooking. If he hadn’t already t his sister-in-law, Xue Xing would have found it hard to believe they were just friends.
"Close?" Si Wen replied nonchalantly. "He’s my best friend’s boyfriend, so of course I had to vet him. The final verdict is that he’s not bad. I’m quite satisfied."
But he’s soone else’s boyfriend. What’s there for *you* to be satisfied about? Xue Xing inwardly criticized.
"Weren’t you going to cook? Let’s go," Si Wen urged.
"Oh," Xue Xing mumbled, following Si Wen downstairs to the spacious kitchen.
"The fridge is over there. Go ahead and cook," Si Wen directed, pointing.
Xue Xing looked at the refrigerator, which was nearly the size of his entire kitchen back ho, and felt another wave of shock. It was huge.
Everything he had seen and heard in the two hours since he had landed was beyond his imagination. He suddenly realized how limited textbook knowledge really was. A person had to go out and see the world to understand what a frog in a well they were.
Gently pulling open the fridge door, a chill washed over him. Frozen ats, vegetables, and fruits were neatly stacked on the shelves, each with its own unique aroma. There were also dressings, like salad dressing, thodically placed on a small rack. He didn’t recognize the other items, so he didn’t bother looking any further.
He glanced over the contents and remarked, "The fridge is full of ready-made als. We can just heat them up and eat."
"Auntie Shen did say she prepared all the food, telling to just heat it up whenever I wanted to eat," Si Wen explained.
"You’re a grown-up, and you still have your aunt do this for you," he teased.
"Auntie Shen is Xiao Xi’s live-in housekeeper. She watched her grow up; their bond is even deeper than a mother’s," Si Wen clarified.
"Oh, so she’s my sister-in-law’s housekeeper. You’re a grown woman, yet you’re having my sister-in-law’s housekeeper cook for you. Have you no sha?" Xue Xing mocked.
"Xue Xing, are you on the warpath tonight or sothing?" Si Wen accused.
"I am not," he denied.
"You keep denying it, but your every word has been a potshot. You’ve nearly shot full of holes," Si Wen complained.
"Aren’t you the one taking shots at ?" Xue Xing muttered under his breath.
He took enough food for two from the fridge to heat it up. It was simple enough; he just had to put it in the microwave.
Five minutes later, two steaming plates of spaghetti sat on the table, their aroma filling the air. The golden, glossy noodles were slightly curved, each strand generously coated in a thick tomato sauce. Finely minced at was sprinkled on top, creating a vibrant contrast with the golden pasta. The entire dish was garnished with so chopped parsley leaves, so vibrantly green they made one’s mouth water.
Xue Xing took a deep whiff, and his already growling stomach churned even more fiercely. "Wow, this spaghetti slls amazing. Sister Si Wen, I’m digging in."
With that, he picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a strand of pasta, and put it in his mouth. The spaghetti was perfectly al dente, with a satisfying chewiness, and the rich, sweet tomato flavor made his mouth water. The minced at was as soft as silk, savory without being greasy, and complented the noodles perfectly. Paired with a slightly spicy seasoning, the dish was simply irresistible. He couldn’t stop, taking one bite after another. The delicious flavors dancing on his tongue irresistibly reminded him of that romantic country—Italy.
"The person who cooked this must be a very kind person."
"Oh? Why do you say that?" It was the first ti Si Wen had heard soone judge a person’s character based solely on their cooking.
"I don’t know, that’s just how I feel. Am I wrong?"
"...You’re right."
After finishing the spaghetti, Xue Xing was ready to go upstairs to work on his practice tests. Seeing that he was really leaving, Si Wen couldn’t help but ask, "Hey, it’s not every day you’re here. Are you really just going to do practice tests?"
What a blockhead.
"What else is there to do besides my practice tests?" Xue Xing asked.
"Hang out with ."
Xue Xing replied without hesitation, "I’ll hang out with you after I finish my practice tests."
Si Wen was speechless.
In the end, she still wound up keeping Xue Xing company while he did his practice tests.
Under the dim desk lamp, they sat side-by-side. Xue Xing wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, a few unruly strands of hair falling over his slightly bowed forehead. The pen in his hand danced across the paper, each problem a carefully woven web of thought as he ticulously laid out every step of the solution.
Si Wen sat beside him, holding her phone. Every so often, she would look up, her gaze fixed on Xue Xing’s serious expression. Her long hair brushed against her slender fingers, and an inexplicable emotion flickered in her eyes. The desk lamp flickered occasionally, its light and shadows dancing across their focused faces, reflecting the thoughts and inspiration flowing through their minds.
Sotis, Xue Xing would pause his writing, propping his chin on his hands to think. During those monts, Si Wen would lower her head and focus on her ga. There was no conversation between them, yet it wasn’t awkward.
Occasionally, Si Wen wondered if she was crazy. She had gone to all the trouble of getting Xue Xing to co from Hui City, only to sit here and watch him do practice tests.
These two brothers... one loves giving out practice tests, and the other loves doing them. They’re really one of a kind.
The thought of giving out practice tests sparked an idea. That’s right! Xue Yang was always giving practice tests. Now I can get my revenge on his little brother!
With this in mind, Si Wen got up and walked out.
Although Xue Xing was working on his assignnts, his mind wasn’t completely on them. It was impossible. With Si Wen, a stunning beauty, sitting right next to him, her delightful fragrance occasionally wafting his way, how could he possibly focus? If he could, he’d have to wonder if there was sothing psychologically wrong with him.
About three minutes later, Si Wen returned. Xue Xing quickly lowered his head, pretending he had been diligently working the whole ti.
Suddenly, a figure blocked his view. A mont later, a set of college entrance exam practice tests landed on the desk in front of him.
"This is for you. No need to thank ."
Si Wen was waiting to see the look of horror on his face, but instead, she heard him ask, "Is this your idea of a welco gift?"
Si Wen was montarily taken aback. "That’s right! It’s your welco gift. You’d better finish every single page."
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